Environmental measurement display system and method

ABSTRACT

Environmental measurement display systems that can be used in home and commercial environments are disclosed. The environmental measurement display system can include an environmental sensor array, signal-processing circuitry, a power supply, a display device, a communications system, a data storage system, and a remote data visualization system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of PCT Application No.PCT/US2014/029133, filed 14 Mar. 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional App. No. 61/802,310, filed 15 Mar. 2013; U.S. ProvisionalApp. No. 61/847,079, filed 16 Jul. 2013; U.S. Provisional App. No.61/847,555, filed 17 Jul. 2013; and U.S. Provisional App. No.61/858,563, filed 25 Jul. 2013, all of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Environmental measurement display systems and methods are disclosedrelating generally to the field of air quality measurement.

BACKGROUND

Humans are capable of detecting both toxic and non-toxic chemicals withtheir sense of smell and without specialized training it can bedifficult for humans to differentiate between safe chemicals and harmfulchemicals. Some chemicals can be harmful in concentration, but harmlessin small amounts, and it can be difficult for humans to differentiatebetween safe and harmful levels by smell alone. Finally, the definitionof safe and harmful levels can vary depend on the environment and onindividual sensitivity of a person (or a product stored in anenvironment). Thus, there is a need in the environmental sensor field tocreate a new environmental measurement display system and method.

Real estate derives a great deal of value from environmental quality ofboth air and water. A verifiable environmental report for a propertyshowing excellent, neutral or poor environmental quality can have adirect effect on the price of both residential and commercial realestate, as well as rental, leasing and hospitality rates. It would be tothe advantage of a real estate owner or seller to demonstrate thequality of their environment, and a financial premium estimate for agood environmental score, and a financial penalty estimate for a lowenvironmental score can be assigned, allowing buyers and sellers toproperly value property in many different transactions and environments.

Perishable goods can go bad if not stored properly, and things likegrains, eggs, meat, fish, seafood, dairy products, and produce can besensitive and cause food poisoning if not stored properly. Perishableproducts verifiably stored in proper environments may be sold at apremium to other products not necessarily verifiably stored in properenvironmental conditions. For example, Kobe Beef stored in optimalconditions can be certified as premium stored, and can be sold for ahigher premium, depending on the quality of the environment. Similar tohow diamonds are graded, even though the naked eye cannot tell thedifference, a finer measurement can differentiate between quality, andthis measurement for perishable goods can be the storage environment.

Valuable documents or antiques require specific environments to ensurethey maintain their condition and value. An antique that has been storedin an optimal environment can be expected to sell for a premium, and anenvironmental sensor measurement of the storage environment can verifythe quality of the storage environment.

Accordingly, a system and method for tracking and reporting theenvironmental quality and the respective impact on the value forspecific real estate, perishable goods, and valuable documents orantiques is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for monitoring air quality in an environment is disclosed. Thesystem can have a first air quality sensor array located in theenvironment, a microprocessor connected to the sensor array, a powersource having a wall plug, a server, and a first wireless communicationsystem. The wireless communication system can be connected to themicroprocessor. The communication system can be configured to transmitdata from the first sensor array to the server.

A method for monitoring air quality in an environment is disclosed. Themethod can include plugging an air quality monitoring system into a wallpower outlet in the environment. The air quality monitoring system canhave a first air quality sensor array. The method can include sensing anair quality factor in the environment with the first air quality sensorarray. The method can include converting the air quality factor into adata signal, where the converting can be performed by the air qualitymonitoring system. The method can include wirelessly transmitting thedata signal from the air quality monitoring system to a server.

Furthermore, a method for monitoring air quality in a first environmentand a second environment is disclosed. The method can includepositioning a first air quality monitoring system in the firstenvironment. The first air quality monitoring system can have a firstair quality sensor array. The method can include positioning a secondair quality monitoring system in the second environment. The second airquality monitoring system can have a second air quality sensor array.The method can include sensing an air quality factor in the firstenvironment with the first air quality sensor array, and sensing the airquality factor in the second environment with the second air qualitysensor array. The method can include converting the first air qualityfactor into a first data signal with the first air quality monitoringsystem, and converting the second air quality factor into a second datasignal with the second air quality monitoring system. The method caninclude wirelessly transmitting the first and second data signals to aserver.

Also disclosed is an environmental monitoring system that can have afirst sensor system, a server and a data storage device. The firstsensor system can be located in a first environment. The first sensorsystem can be configured to measure a first environment quality factorand output first sensor data. The server can be configured to receivethe first sensor data from the first sensor system. The server can beconfigured to process the first sensor data and output first economicdata for the first environment. The data storage device can beconfigured to store the first economic data for the first environment.

An environmental monitoring method is disclosed that can includedetecting a first environmental quality factor in a first environmentwith a first sensor system. The method can include outputting a firstsensor system data from the first sensor system. The method can includereceiving the first sensor system data by a server. The method caninclude calculating by the server a first economic data for the firstenvironment. The server can use the first sensor system data in thecalculation.

A further environmental monitoring method is disclosed. The method caninclude detecting at a first time with a first sensor system a firstenvironmental quality factor in a first environment. The method caninclude outputting a first sensor system data from the first sensorsystem. The method can include the server receiving the first sensorsystem data. The method can include the server comparing a firsteconomic data for the first environment to a second economic data. Thecomparing by the server can include outputting an economic delta for thefirst environment. The economic delta can be a difference in theeconomic state, for example over time or in comparison to anotherenvironment or environmental factor.

A property monitoring system for monitoring property at a first locationis disclosed. The system can have an environmental sensor system at thefirst location. The environmental sensor system can be configured toproduce data on an environmental quality factor. The system can have afirst data storage system configured to have a first database incommunication with the environmental sensor system, wherein the firstdatabase is configured to have data on a market value for the property.The system can have a processor configured to calculate a product valueby modifying the market value with the data for the environmentalquality factor.

Additionally disclosed is a method for monitoring property at a firstlocation. The method can include sensing an environmental quality factorat the first location. The sensing can be performed with anenvironmental sensor system. The method can include retrieving a marketvalue for the property from a first data storage system. The method caninclude calculating with a processor a product value for the property bymodifying the market value with the data for the environmental qualityfactor.

Furthermore, a method for monitoring property at a first location isdisclosed. The method can include attaching an environmental sensorsystem to the property. The method can include sensing an environmentalquality factor at the property. The sensing can be performed with theenvironmental sensor system. The method can include retrieving from afirst data storage system a market value for the property. The methodcan include calculating with a processor a product value of the productby modifying the market value with the data for the environmentalquality factor when the sensor system is attached to the property.

An environmental monitoring method is disclosed. The method can includesensing an environmental quality in a first environment. The sensing canbe performed with an environmental quality monitoring system. Thesensing can produce environmental data.

The method can include recording the environmental data in a firstdatabase. The method can include encrypting the environmental data. Themethod can include transmitting the environmental data from the firstdatabase to a first computer, such as a computer executing a web browserand searching for the environmental data. The method can includedecrypting the environmental data on the second computer.

Disclosed is an environmental monitoring method that can include sensingenvironmental quality data in a first environment. The method caninclude attaching location data to the environmental quality data toform composite data. The method can include recording the composite datain a first database, and transmitting the composite data from the firstdatabase to a computer.

An environmental monitoring method is disclosed that can include sensingenvironmental quality data in a first environment, and attaching atimestamp to the environmental quality data to form composite data.

A method of displaying environmental quality measurements is disclosed.The method can include measuring the output of a first environmentalsensor, recording the output of a first environmental sensor, generatinga report from the output of at least one environmental sensor, andassigning a commercial value to a location monitored by at least oneenvironmental sensor. The commercial value can be assigned to anenvironment in real time. The method can communicate the commercialvalue to a user, as well as a personalized value in real time thatrelates to an individual's requirements at any given time due to theirhealth condition and other personalized factors. The user could be apet, for example a cat and dog or different breeds may need or thrive indifferent air quality environments.

The method can include sharing or reporting any of the recorded,generated or assigned information. Recording the output of at least oneenvironmental sensor can include encrypting the recorded output of theat least one environmental sensor. The recorded output can be encryptedwith an encryption key associated with a user. The sharing or reportingthe information can include decrypting the recorded output of at leastone environmental sensor using an encryption key associated with a user.

Assigning a commercial value to a location monitored by at least oneenvironmental sensor further can include computing a commercial valueusing a function derived from a plot of pricing data and environmentalquality data.

A method of displaying environmental quality measurements is disclosed.The method can include measuring the output of at least oneenvironmental sensor, recording the output of at least one environmentalsensor, generating a report from the output of at least oneenvironmental sensor, and assigning a commercial value to a productstored at a location monitored by at least one environmental sensor.

The assigning of the commercial value to the product stored at thelocation monitored by the at least one environmental sensor can includecomputing a commercial value using a function derived from a plot ofproduct pricing data and environmental quality data.

The data processor of the system can display or send a maintenancenotification when a sensor data value crosses a threshold. For example,if the sensor crosses an air particulate threshold, the system candisplay or send a notification (e.g., to the server or a computer orsmartphone connected by Bluetooth or Wifi) to change an air filter inthe environment's HVAC system. If the sensor crosses an time threshold,the system can display or send a notification to perform a scheduledmaintenance task (e.g., clean the system or the environment). If thesensor crosses an animal dander count threshold, the system can displayor send that the animals in the environment need to be washed. If thesensor crosses a calibration threshold, the system can display or sendthat the sensor needs to be replaced. If the sensor crosses a powerthreshold, the system can display or send that a battery in the systemneeds to be replaced. If the sensor crosses a toxic chemical threshold,the system can display or send that a danger exists.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a variation of an environmental measurementdisplay system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a variation of the environmental measurementdisplay system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a variation of the environmental measurementdisplay system.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams of variations of a display device of theenvironmental measurement display system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of displaying environmental qualitymeasurements.

FIG. 6 is a variation of a network diagram for monitoring theenvironmental quality at multiple environmental locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a variation of an environmental measurement displaysystem 100. The system can be used in a home, commercial environment(e.g., office, industrial environment, hospitality environment,warehouse, shipping container, airplane cabin, ship cabin, train car,liquid storage tank (for transporting food grade products, medical gradeproducts, fuel products, water, or any other liquid), disposablepackaging such as a produce container or a lobster box, or combinationsthereof), to monitor the quality of their environment. Environmentalquality factors can include air quality factors, such as levels oforganic compounds or allergens. The system 100 can display that thequality of the environment is good and stable or that there is apotentially harmful or allergenic environment that may need to beaddressed.

The environmental measurement display system 100 can include anenvironmental sensor array 110, signal-processing circuitry 120, a powersupply 140, and a display device 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the display systems 200 can have visualinterfaces and external devices for collecting and visualizingenvironmental data. FIG. 3 illustrates that the environmentalmeasurement display system 300 can have no local display device 130.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that the environmental measurement displaysystems 200 and 300 can include a communications system 150, a datastorage system 155, a remote data visualization system 158 and a chassis160.

The environmental sensor array 110 can measure properties of anenvironment in which the environmental measurement display system 100 islocated. The environmental sensor array 110 can have one or more sensorssuch as mass spectrometers, nano-plasmonic sensors, chemical sensors,optical particle sensors, ionization particle sensors, barometers,thermometers, humidity sensors, oxygen sensors, carbon dioxide sensors,nitrogen sensors, smoke detectors, accelerometers, GPS's, Geigercounters, CMOS/CCD image sensors. RF radiation detectors, orcombinations thereof. The array 110 can have one or more sensors of eachtype, for example for redundancy in the event of a sensor failure orerroneous reading, and/or for improved accuracy and/or precision. Thesensor array 110 can include at least one particle sensor for detectingallergens such as dander, pollen, dust, exhaust, carbon monoxide, radonand smoke. The sensor array 110 can include sensors for detectingexposure time and/or concentration levels of volatile organic compounds,particle size, particle counts in air and/or in water.

The signal processing circuitry 120 can remove noise from signalsreceived from sensors in the environmental sensor array 110. The signalprocessing circuitry 120 can normalize at least one signal from theenvironmental sensor array 110 and can convert at least one signal fromthe environmental sensor array 110 to a suitable output for a display130. For example, the environmental sensor array 110 can generate achemical level signal corresponding to a chemical level present in theair. The signal processing circuitry 120 can convert the chemical levelsignal to a signal that can be processed by a display device 130.

The signal processing circuitry 120 can include signal filters 122, amixed signal processing integrated circuit, a mixed signalmicroprocessor 128, such as those made by Texas Instruments, orcombinations thereof. The signal processing circuitry 120 can includeencryption hardware or software to encrypt the signal data.

The conditioning or signal processing circuitry 120 can include a dangeralarm 123. The danger alarm 123 can be a lower level circuit that cansound an alarm when a harmful level of at least one chemical isdetected, for example if an attached display device 130 ismalfunctioning, disconnected, broken or otherwise disabled. The dangeralarm 123 can sound an alarm with a speaker or other audio transducer,such as a smoke detector alarm sound mechanism. The danger alarm 123 canuse a network connection of a communications device to transmit an alarmto a central communications station where a user or person in theenvironment can be contacted, notified and can either investigate theproblem, or evacuate the area and wait for a chemical response team.

The sensor array 110 can detect air particles, such as dust, dander andother allergens, and can send a notification via the processor or dangeralarm 123 to a server, other system, computer, or handheld deviceconnected by wired or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi) communication tothe system 100 in the environment with instructions to perform anenvironmental clearing action such as ventilating the area, changing anair filter, turning on a filtration system, running a humidifier, orcombinations thereof. When a human activity or a machine-controlledactivity is causing changes to the environment, the danger alarm 123 canencourage the changes (if they are positive, such as ventilation), ordiscourage the changes (if the environmental changes are negative) bysounding an alarm or sending a notification to a user or a machine. Thedanger alarm 123 can suggest safety tips and precautions such asadvising a human to wear a mask while vacuuming an environment withdangerous levels of dust, or advising a human or a machine to ventilatean area, and/or slow down the rate of application of a chemical productor paint and/or use personal protection equipment such as a ventilationmask. When the system 100 detects that food is being burned in akitchen, the danger alarm 123 can notify a human immediately, instead ofwaiting for the human nose to detect the burning smell.

Multiple danger alarms 123 can be used simultaneously, and can havedifferent notification sounds, lights, notification methods or messages.For example, a smoke detection sound could be different from a soundplayed when a dangerous level of dust is detected.

The display device 130 can display signal information from the sensorarray 110 and/or processed signals from the signal processing circuitry120. The environmental monitoring system 100 can operate (e.g. takemeasurements and/or notify users of dangerous levels) when the displaydevice 130 is broken or non-functioning. The display 130 can becalibrated to display a range of values and information, includingnumerical measurements, or just simply shades of grey or colors on aspectrum. The display device 130 can be an organic light emitting diode(OLED) display, a color liquid crystal display (LCD) a binary LCD, agray scale LCD, a grayscale e-ink display, a color e-ink display, abraille output device, laser projection display, or combinationsthereof. The display device 130 can be a remote display device, forexample a monitor on a computer which can be displaying an Internetbrowser, a smartphone or a tablet screen displaying a remote smartphoneapplication, a monitor or screen displaying the output of a computerprogram executing on a hardware chip, or combinations thereof.

For example, as a harmful chemical is detected by a sensor array 110,and processed by signal conditioning or processing circuitry 120, thedisplay device 130 can display the processed signal in auser-comprehendible format. The user-comprehendible format can be acolor, numbers, chemical formulas, images, chemical images, structuralchemical formulas, tessellations with gradients of larger or smallerelement sizes, tessellations of increasing or decreasing element sizes(e.g. as a larger or smaller magnitude of signal is detected, theelement size in the tessellation is adjusted to be larger or smaller) orcombinations thereof.

The display device 130 can display textures, patterns or colors can bedisplayed on binary LCD, grayscale LCD, grayscale e-ink display, colorLCD, or color-e-ink display, or any other display capable of displayingpatterns. The parameters such as textures, patterns, images or colorscan correspond to detected chemical levels. For example, the displaydevice 130 can display a hex texture or pattern when benzene isdetected. As the system 100 detects increasing levels of benzene, thedisplay device 130 can change the size, scale, darkness, pitch, color,dimension, perspective (converting from 2-D to 3-D), visualizationorientation, or combinations thereof of the hex pattern. The displaydevice 130 can change color (either the background color or theforeground color) of one or more displayed images in response to changesin the chemical signals detected by the system 100. For example, as thesystem 100 detects increasing level of benzene on an absolute scale, thedisplay device 130 can change the displayed colors from a light green toa yellow to orange to red (with red indicating a harmful level ofbenzene present in the air). The colors could increase or decrease tint,saturation, hue, contrast, brightness, transparency, fade, orcombinations thereof.

The display device 130 can show graphics that can include a pie chart, abar chart, a scatter plot, a time-series plot, or any other suitablegraphical analysis, to provide a user with information about thechemicals in the environment. The display device 130 can show images ofchemicals, color scales or numbers. The display device 130 can grow orshrink the displayed image of the chemical proportionally relative tothe chemical levels detected by the system 100 (e.g., scaling up ordown). The display device 130 can show graphics that can include sensorlife, system uptime, system maintenance data or commands andrecommendations (e.g. change a sensor, clean a sensor, calibrate asensor), battery life remaining, wireless or wired signal connectivity,danger alarms enabled or disabled, status messages, or combinationsthereof.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate that a display device 130 can include atleast one color wheel display 132 and at least one motor 134. The colorwheel indicator 132 can include an arrow or other marker that can bealigned with the color wheel to indicate which area on the color wheelcorresponds with the current environmental quality measurement level.

FIG. 4 b illustrates that the upper half of the color wheel indicator132 can have a rotatable ring 135. The rotatable ring 135 can have aband of color along the outside or shades of grayscale on the outside ofthe ring 135, such that a user can identify the approximate level ofenvironmental quality from the colors displayed on the ring 135.

The lower half of the color wheel indicator 132 can include a color ortexture based gauge. Multiple color wheel indicators 132 can be usedtogether to display additional information, for example to provideadditional resolution and/or precision to the display. For example, atransparent color wheel with additional colors could be rotated by anadditional motor or the same motor 134 (possibly rotated at a differentrate using gearing) to modify the colors presented. An additional colorwheel can be shades of grey. An additional color wheel can be atransparency filter. At least one color wheel can include transparentgradients around the ring or the color wheel of increasing opacity ofRed, Green, and Blue, and/or Cyan, Magenta, Yellow.

The motor 134 in the display device can move or rotate the color wheelor a color ring in a color wheel indicator 132. The motor 134 canreceive signals from the signal conditioning or processing circuitry 120and can actuate the color wheel indicator 132 to display a color on thecolor wheel that corresponds to the signal that has been measured by thesensor array 110, and then processed by the signal conditioningcircuitry 120. Using the motor 134 to control the color wheel indicator132 can use less power than an active, or even passive display device,such as an LCD, or an L-ink screen. The motor 134 can be a small DCbrushed motor, a brushless DC motor, a piezo type ratcheting motor, orcombinations thereof. The motor 134 can be controlled using a controlloop to track position and can use homing sensors (either opticalsensors, magnetic sensors, or any other suitable sensor) as a controlscheme for the motor 134. The motor 134 can home to a zero-position, andthen run open-loop. The motor 134 could run in a closed-control loopusing an encoder, such as an optical encoder, a mechanical encoder, apotentiometer, or combinations thereof.

The power supply 140 can power the electronics for the other elements ofthe system, including a sensor array 110, signal conditioning circuitry120, display device 130, communications system 150, and other componentsin the system that require power. The power supply 140 can be atransformer for an alternating current, such as standard wall socketplug or a direct wiring to a home or building electric grid, amechanical generator, a diesel generator, or any combinations thereof.The power supply 140 can also be a battery, a DC current power supply, aDC current from a computer (for example through a USB port), aphotodiode, a photovoltaic cell, or combinations thereof.

The chassis 160 can physically fix to, support, and/or orient thecomponents of the system 100. The chassis 160 can support theorientation of the sensor array 110, and a grating in the chassis couldprevent large particles, soil and mud from damaging or otherwiseobscuring inputs into the sensor array 110. The chassis 160 can supportat least one display 130 and can either house a power supply 140, suchas a battery, a power supply plug, a photodiode, a photovoltaic cell, apower plug, a collapsible power plug, a power plug and transformercombination.

The local communication device 150 can communicate with a remote device,and can transmit signal data generated by a sensor array 110 andconditioning circuitry 120 to a remote device for monitoring, storage,notifications, or combinations thereof. The communication device 150 canbe a wireless or a wired device. The wireless device can be a WiFidevice, a mobile data modem (such as a 2G, 3G, 4G LTE device), a Zigbeecommunication device, a Bluetooth device, a wireless USB device,infra-red transmitter, an ethernet over electrical grid connection, orcombinations thereof.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that the remote communication device 151 canreceive data from the local communication device 150, and store thereceived data on a data storage device 155. The data can be controlsignal data, environmental data generated from a sensor array 110 andsignal conditioning circuitry 120, alarm data generated by a dangeralarm 123, battery power charge remaining, or any combinations thereof.

The remote communication device 151 can be directly connected to thelocal communication device 150. The devices 150 and 151 can be connectedon the same board or the same chip, connected by an Ethernet cable,connected by a wireless channel, or combinations thereof. The remotecommunication device 151 can be directly connected to a data storagedevice 155. The remote communication device 151 can be connected to adata storage device 155 through an internet connection (e.g., wired,wireless WiFi, 3G, 4G, LTE, or any other suitable wireless connection),acting as a hub. A single remote communication device can function as ahub for at least one sensor device and/or connect and transmit data toand from multiple sensor systems 100 and at least one data storagedevice 155.

The data storage device 155 can store the signals produced by the sensorarray. The stored signals can be post processed, time-stamped for timeseries processing, filtered, compressed, or analyzed before storing. Thedata storage device 155 can be a storage system such as a networkedcomputer server, including a database on a hard disk, a database storedin volatile or non-volatile memory, data stored in a text file, datastored on multiple servers comprising a distributed database serverplatform, or combinations thereof.

The data visualization interface 158 can visualize the stored data. Thedata visualization interface 158 can display information such asreports, charts, time series plots, pie charts, spectrums, spectrograms,or combinations thereof. The data visualization interface 158 cangenerate a report as an image file and/or a document (such as aMicrosoft word document or a PDF document) and send the visualizationvia email or MMS message to a user. The data visualization interface 158can be a website accessible via a web browser where a user can select atleast one type of report generated from the signal data generated bytheir sensor device.

The data visualization interface can provide anonymized comparisons withneighbors or similar classes of users, to enable a user to compare theenvironment where the sensor has been placed with comparable locations,and providing a relative comparison for health, safety, and/or generalinterest. The data visualization interface 158 can operate as asmartphone (i.e., mobile) application, such that the phone can providethe display and a user interface for the data visualization, forexample, allowing the selection of a type of time series chart, andenabling a user to zoom in on the chart graphic by sliding their fingersapart on the screen.

A mobile application can enable remote monitoring of the system 100 bythe remote communication device 151 from a remote or local location. Forexample, users can monitor environmental data of remote storage sites,homes, or offices. A data visualization interface 158 can include aselection mechanism to determine a display type (e.g. a selection box ora slider bar with options such as basic, intermediate oradvanced—depending on the technical level of the user, or theapplication purpose of the environmental sensor device). Configurationof a danger alarm 123 notifications and alerts, danger alarm thresholdlevels and other settings can be configured from the data visualizationinterface 158. The data visualization interface 158 can allow a user todecrypt the information from an environmental sensor device. For examplean encryption key could be stored on the outside of the device, and auser can enter the encryption key to decrypt the information prior tosharing, and/or generating a report.

The remote communication device 151 can be a smartphone, a tablet, or acomputer, an embedded system appliance (e.g. a hub) or other suitabledevice. The remote communication device 151, the data storage device 155and the data visualization interface 158 could be located on a remotewebserver, a user's smartphone, a home computer, a regional computer ofa landlord or property manager or organization. A Zigbee dongle can beconfigured to be the remote communication device 151 for a specificenvironment (e.g., a home or office), and can then function as a datastorage device 155 and a data visualization interface 158, and performany processing and or communication with a remote data server (e.g.reporting for corporate compliance or offsite data storage). Similarly,a smartphone can have a Zigbee attachment or built in Zigbeeconnectivity, or use Bluetooth to as the remote communication device151, and use the memory on the phone as storage device 155, and the userinterface on the phone as the data visualization interface 158.

A second chassis can include a remote communication device 151, and canstore the received sensor data on a local data storage device 155,and/or transmit the data further to a remote computer server system overthe internet or a network, for storage on a remote data storage device155, and subsequent visualization on a data visualization device 158.The second chassis can include a second sensor array in the secondchassis. The second sensor array can confirm and/or calibrate sensorreadings from the first environmental sensor array 110 in theenvironmental measurement display system 100, and can improve powerconsumption and sensor sensitivity. If the environmental sensor array110 receives potentially erroneous readings or data (e.g., the data isoutside of 0% to 100% of a historical range or outside of a 5% to 95%historical range for the array 110), the data from the first and secondsensors arrays can be compared before sounding an alarm locally with adanger alarm 123, or communicating to a cloud based data visualizationinterface 158.

The data visualization interface 158 can generate reports such asmaintenance reminders for an environment (such as changing an airfilter, opening a window for ventilation, taking out the garbage),notifications of dangerous levels of chemicals, reports for various timeperiods (e.g. weekly, or monthly trends in their local environment), anenvironmental quality rating over time, a value premium estimate for aresidential or commercial property based upon the environmental qualityobserved over time, an insurance premium computation, a cost-of-damageassessment, or combinations thereof. The data visualization interface158 can process data using data from numerous users to determineoptimized thresholds and danger alarm levels.

The system 100 (e.g., the microprocessor 128) can execute artificialintelligence algorithms to determine optimal settings for a particulardevice, environment, building type, user application, and/or user class,and the results can be transmitted to the particular device to improveperformance (e.g. calibration, power consumption, safety, accuracy,precision of devices of the environmental sensor display system). Thesettings for a particular device can be calibrated for an individualbuilding, or the settings can be tested on a similar device in similarconditions and provide a generic “building type” calibration.

METHODS OF USE

The environmental sensor system 100 can be in communication withnon-environmental sensor systems, such as home automation consoles,automobile control consoles, smartphones, tablets, computers andcombinations thereof. The system 100 can display environmental qualitymeasurements with the non-environmental sensor systems.

FIG. 5 illustrates that a method 500 of displaying environmental qualitymeasurements can include measuring the output of at least oneenvironmental sensor S510, recording the output of at least oneenvironmental sensor S520, generating a report from the output of atleast one environmental sensor S530, adjusting the value estimate ofproperty at a location where at least one environmental sensor islocated S540, and property owner sharing or reporting of informationS550.

The measuring S510 can include signal conditioning to remove noise,comparing multiple signals from multiple sensors of the same type,and/or encrypting the signal.

The recording S520 can include recording signal data from at least oneenvironmental sensor measurement. The recording S520 can includeprocessing such as filtering, timestamping (e.g., recording time datawhen the data was collected, sensed, recorded, and/or received),encrypting or combinations thereof. The recording S520 can includestoring the signal data in a computer database in a device that canreceive, store and process data such as on a server, distributed acrossmany servers, a home or office computer, a tablet, a smartphone, orcombinations thereof.

The report generating S530 can include the system 100 generating thereports from environmental sensor data. The system 100 can process atleast two points of the recorded environmental sensor data in a timeseries to generate a time series plot of environmental quality.

Before or after generating the report, the system 100 can receive adecryption key (e.g., entered by a user) to decrypt the stored data fromthe user-owned sensor device. The system 100 can use the decryption keyto decrypt the data. A data storage device can be maintained or operatedby a third party (e.g., not part of the system) and servers managing thedata storage device may not have access to the decryption key.

For example, the data can be encrypted before the data is stored, andthe decryption key can be physically displayed on the system 100 (forexample attached to an environmental sensor system 100 on a sticker).The system operator can be the only person to have access to datagenerated by their own device, and would have to authorize the sharingof that information. Smartphone applications or data visualizationinterfaces, or internet browser based web applications could require adecryption key before accessing the data, further protecting a user'sinformation from third parties that may have an interest in obtainingthe data. If accelerometer and/or GPS sensor data is collected, a reportcan be validated or invalidated based upon detected movement of asensor.

Estimated property values can be stored in a computer memory in thesystem 100 or in a remote database, for example, not part of the system100. The system 100 can adjust S540 or assign the estimated propertyvalue at a location where at least one environmental sensor is located.The property value can be a commercial value of real estate, antiques,and/or perishable goods which derive value from the quality of theirrespective environments. The adjustments or assignments of the propertyvalue by the system 100 or a separate computer can be calculated fromone or more scaling or weighting factors (e.g., time decay scaling basedon the time since the data was recorded, location scaling based on thelocation of the sensor array, factor scaling such as a first weightingfor a first allergen or toxic chemical and a second weighting for asecond allergen or toxic chemical, environment scaling based on whichenvironment the sensor array is located) read by the system 100 from adatabase, the type of property (e.g., house, office, strawberries in astorage container, antique painting), and the current and/or historicalenvironmental data recorded by the system 100.

The system 100 can share S550 the generated reports and/or valueadjustments or assignments with other computers over a network (e.g.,over the Internet). The system 100 can attach verification orcertification data to the reports and/or value adjustments.

For example, property owners can share or report information or reportson the environmental quality of their property (if they so desire, butalso possibly compulsory, if regulations require compulsory reporting).For example a butcher could report on the quality of the environment intheir meat locker, and be able to demonstrate the superior quality oftheir meats. A homeowner could report the excellent air quality in theirbasement to prospective buyers, as a commercial landlord could sharefavorable reports with both prospective and current tenants, or a hotelcould share environmental quality reports with guests. As anotherexample, government sites could provide feedback to regulators andenvironmental quality compliance monitors. Regulated industries, such asfood production, pharmaceutical production, healthcare facilities(hospitals and clinics), oil drilling sites, mines, power plants andutility companies, chemical production plants, paper mills, steel mills,and other regulated industries could be monitored for environmentalquality compliance and/or safety compliance by a governmental complianceofficer, or an insurance company officer. Compliance data can betransmitted to a government or insurance company compliance server,perhaps for later use. An individual or an organization can receivediscounts and/or tax credits for maintaining compliance, as well asspecial certifications from the government, an insurance company orother overseeing compliance group. Such information also enablesinsurance companies and regulators to set environmental quality levelsusing data driven techniques, instead of relying on arbitrary opinionsof scientists and environmentalists.

FIG. 6 illustrates that a first sensor system 100 a can be located in afirst environment 400 a. A second sensor 100 b can be located in asecond environment 400 b. The first and second sensor systems 100 cantransmit their respective environmental data across a network to one ormore servers 402 (referred to non-limitingly as singular or pluralherein, there can be a single server or a bank of local or distributedservers). The servers 402 can store the data in a first database inmemory 155 that can be in or networked to the servers 402. The servers402 can be in network communication with second computers 404.

The first and second sensor systems 100 a and 100 b can detectenvironmental data relating to environmental quality factors from thefirst and second environments 400 a and 400 b, respectively, and atfirst and second times. The first and second sensor systems 100 a and100 b can be in network communication with the server 402 and send theserver 402 the environmental data from the first and second environments400 a and 400 b (i.e., first and second sensor system data,respectively). The server 402 can process the received environmentaldata, and save or otherwise store the environmental data and theprocessed environmental data from the first and second environments 400a and 400 b into the data storage device or system 155.

The sensor systems 100, server 402, and/or data storage system 155 canencrypt the data, certify the data (e.g., attach a key to verify thatthe data originated from the environments 400 a and 400 b), time-stampthe data when the data was received, attach location data (e.g., from aGPS device in or in communication with the sensor systems 100, server402, and/or data storage system 155, or combinations thereof), orcombinations thereof.

The second computer 404 can request the direct environmental data fromthe first and second environments 400 a and 400 b or data derived orprocessed therefrom, from the server 402 which can retrieve therequested data from the data storage system or device 155 and send thedata to the second computer 404. The second computer 404 can request thedata directly from the data storage system 155 without requesting thedata from the server 402.

For example, the server 402 can process the environmental data from thesensor systems 100 a and 100 b and store the processed data in the datastorage system 155. The server 402 or second computer 404 can comparethe first environment data at a first time to the second environmentdata at a first time and/or to first environment data at a second time.The data comparison can be used to calculate the change from the firsttime to the second time and/or between the first and secondenvironments.

The server 402 can alter or assign in the first database the value, suchas a monetary value, of real and/or personal property listed for theenvironments 400 a and 400 b. The personal property and the respectivevalues listed in the first database can be partially or completelylinked over a network to a second database (on the first data storagesystem 155 or a second data storage system), such as an inventorytracking database on a second server. The linked data between the firstand second databases can be updated instantly when a change is made toeither database, can be updated with a delay, can be updated with manualapproval of the respective change, or combinations thereof. The seconddatabase (and therefore the first database) can have property listingand expected market value data updated from a third or fourth database,such as from inventory management and market price tracking databases.

The alteration or assignment of the value by the server 402 can dependat least partially on the comparison of the data of the firstenvironment compared to the data of the second environment and/or thecurrent data of the first environment compared to the data of the firstenvironment at the second time. The server 402 alteration or assignmentof the value can depend at least partially on a market value for theproperty and/or the inventory quantity and age of the property (e.g.,for perishable goods, such as produce). The server 402 can retrieve theupdated or historical market value for the product from a networkedcomputer or memory (e.g., a networked computer or memory recordingcommodities trading prices for the product). The server 402 cancalculate—and record in the database 155—the changes in economic valueand/or environmental quality data for the first and/or secondenvironments compared to each other, over time (e.g., at a first timeand a second time), compared between different environmental factors(e.g., comparing the particles of cedar pollen to the particles of grasspollen, or the time change of each), or combinations thereof. The sensorarray can be attached to the environment of the products (e.g., to aninside wall of a shipping container) and/or to the product or theproduct's packaging.

The second computer 404 can access the alteration (i.e., the change invalue) or assignment (i.e., the entire value) of the first and/or secondproperty values stored in data storage system 155.

Part or all of the system 100 can be stationary. A component of thesystem 100 can ping any Bluetooth low energy device near the componentof the system 100 to retrieve GPS values so that the component or system100 can verify its location. The system 100 can transmit its location,for example in when the emergency alarm is activated.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way ofillustration and not of limitation, specific variations in which thesubject matter may be practiced. Other variations may be utilized andderived therefrom, such that structural elements and method processsubstitutions, combinations, and changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of this disclosure. As a person skilled in the art willrecognize from the previous detailed description and from the figuresand claims, modifications, combinations, and changes can be made to thedisclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A property monitoring system for monitoring property at afirst location comprising: an environmental sensor system at the firstlocation, wherein the environmental sensor system is configured toproduce data on an environmental quality factor; a first data storagesystem configured to have first database in communication with theenvironmental sensor system, wherein the first database is configured tohave data on a market value for the property; a processor configured tocalculate a product value by modifying the market value with the datafor the environmental quality factor.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe environmental quality factor comprises temperature.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the environmental quality factor comprises humidity. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental quality factorcomprises oxygen.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the propertycomprises perishable property.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein theproperty comprises produce.
 7. A method for monitoring property at afirst location comprising: sensing an environmental quality factor atthe first location, wherein the sensing comprises sensing with anenvironmental sensor system; retrieving from a first data storage systema market value for the property; calculating with a processor a productvalue by modifying the market value with the data for the environmentalquality factor.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising updatingthe market value before the calculating.
 9. The method of claim 7,further comprising recording the data from a first time and second time,and wherein calculating comprises modifying the market value with thedata from the first time and data from the second time.
 10. The methodof claim 7, wherein the environmental quality factor comprisestemperature.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the environmentalquality factor comprises humidity.
 12. The method of claim 7, whereinthe environmental quality factor comprises oxygen.
 13. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the property comprises perishable property.
 14. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the property comprises produce.
 15. A methodfor monitoring properly at a first location comprising: attaching anenvironmental sensor system to the property; sensing an environmentalquality factor at the property, wherein the sensing comprises sensingwith the environmental sensor system; retrieving from a first datastorage system a market value for the property; calculating with aprocessor a product value by modifying the market value with the datafor the environmental quality factor.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising updating the market value before the calculating. 17.The method of claim 15, further comprising recording the data from afirst time and second time, and wherein calculating comprises modifyingthe market value with the data from the first time and data from thesecond time.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the environmentalquality factor comprises temperature.
 19. The method of claim 15,wherein the environmental quality factor comprises humidity.
 20. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the environmental quality factor comprisesoxygen.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein the property comprisesperishable property.
 22. The method of claim 15, wherein the propertycomprises produce.